The truth is, we can practise yoga anytime, anywhere: on a beach beneath a stunning sunset, or beside a sparkling swimming pool, or inside your candlelit room … all that is needed is sufficient space to strike a pretty asana (just check out #yogaeverywhere on Instagram!).

Of course, you don’t always have to rely on a picturesque environment to inspire your practice. Beautifully crafted yoga mats with thoughtful design and functionality can evoke the same sense of tranquillity.

As you are rolling them out they will brighten up the room at the same time.

From a lavender-scented fleece to unparalleled cushioning, we’ve picked the five must-have mats that offer a luxurious and – more importantly – comfortable platform that will enhance your performance.

1. Holistic Silk yoga rug mat (US$246)

Created by an English wellness brand that centres on sleep and relaxation, it’s no wonder Holistic Silk’s yoga rug mat feels like a dream under our hands and feet.

Made from cosy performance fleece and a non-slip faux leather base, yogis can breathe easily knowing this mat is gentle on the joints and won’t budge on slippery surfaces.

Perhaps the most enticing feature, however, is the real lavender flower buds contained within the mat. Its delicate scent fills the air upon use, soothing the senses as you flow from one pose to another.

Each design is hand-painted and inspired by the expert weavings of palatial Persian carpets and traditional embroidery, all bursting with carefully coordinated (and sometimes purposefully not) colours that please the eye.

Every mishmash pattern is put together with thought, with some specially placed to guide your asanas.

5. Bowern yoga mat (US$98)

It’s a dreamer’s paradise at Bowern, where vibrant prints of the sun, sea, and stars come together to enliven your practice.

These luxe mats are canvases to organic lines and the soothing strokes of watercolour painting, working in harmony to ease the mind as you move in ebb and flow.

Topped with a microfibre suede layer that provides even more grip when things get heated up (and after a few uses to break it in), Bowern yoga mats are also UV-protected to ensure the print stays vivid over time.

So don’t be afraid to let sunlight stream through your windows – or better yet, take your mat outdoors for a refreshing stretch under the clear blue sky.